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In Shiloh by Bobbie Ann Mason, the central characters, Leroy Moffit and his wife, Norma Jean, display markedly different personality traits that ultimately result in the demise of their relationship. Leroy is a classic static character who does not grow or change throughout the story. On the other hand, Norma Jean represents the very definition of a dynamic character as she evolves into her own woman. One of the main complications leading to the demise of their relationship is the reversal of traditional gender roles. Norma Jean spends her days supporting them both by working at the local drugstore while Leroy stays at home complaining about dirty dishes and watching Donahue.
Leroy dreams and plans out ways to make their house a home by decorating it with the models that he makes. Even the emotions typically associated as male and female are switched with Norma Jean being the stolid, unresponsive half of the duo. Leroy continues to become even more emasculated by learning to sew pillows and confiding in his mother in law. Norma Jeans transition takes on physical aspects as her exercise regimen leaves her muscular and strong as men are typically depicted in society. Another factor leading to the deterioration of Leroy and Norma's marriage is the constant struggle between clinging to the past versus clawing toward the future. One example of Leroy's reluctance to give up the past manifests itself in his lust to build a log cabin rather than a contemporary house.
Norma Jean, with her eyes on the future, absolutely loathes this idea. She takes night classes at the local community college and exercises continuously which also exemplifies her need to better herself for the future. Leroy laments the days when the farmers used to hang around the courthouse yard and looks with disdain at the new houses in the subdivision in town. Unchanged very little since they were first married, Leroy is essentially the same person he was when he was as an eighteen-year-old groom. Stemming from this struggle of past versus future is Leroy's resistance to growing up and Norma Jeans fight to finally become an adult.
Leroy plays with Lincoln Logs, makes models and smokes marijuana all day while Norma manages to fit in a job, exercise and night school. Norma gains a more and more adult identity as the story unfolds. She, too, displays juvenile behavior in the beginning by pecking around on her organ and smoking behind her mothers back. Eventually, she begins making her own decisions and ultimately decides to leave Leroy. Throughout the course of the story, Norma Jean has quit smoking, made the decision to leave her husband and taken college courses while Leroy is still unemployed and day dreaming. Leroy clings to a past that no longer exists and yearns to return to that life.
Norma Jean has forged ahead and started to plan for her future. The inability of Leroy to change contrasted with Norma Jeans need to grow bring about the irreconcilable conflict that ends in the dissolution of their marriage.
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Research essay sample on Demise Of Their Relationship Norma Jean Leroy
